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Perhaps no single game could summarize the entirety of the Pittsburgh Steelers 2021 season thus far than in the frantic comeback that came up one play short in the 36-28 loss to the Minnesota Vikings Thursday night. It was an emotional game that may or may not have ended the Steelers playoff hopes. That is yet to be determined, though it was one in which the Steelers have a lot to review – good, bad, and ugly.
The frustration was evident in the faces and postures of the Steelers all game on both sides of the ball. Cam Heyward cannot man it alone and its evident that Stephon Tuitt isn’t returning soon. This defense was as an elite a unit as there was in the NFL throughout 2019 and 2020. Nonetheless, there is no excuse to allow the holes that Dalvin Cook had to gash through and average over 17 yards a carry in the first half and 205 yards on the game. There is also no excuse for the coaching staff waiting till halftime to implement the adjustments that clearly worked in the second half.
Fox Sports
T.J. Watt exited the game in the first half with (what else) a groin injury shortly followed by Alex Highsmith with a quad injury. They were missed as gone was any semblance of a pass rush on Kirk Cousins.
Fox Sports
It proved to be a long night for the Steelers LB core, as their replacements, Taco Charlton and Derrek Tuszka, failed to register a sack and combined for only 6 tackles. ILBs Devin Bush and Joe Schobert struggles throughout the game eventually led to Mike Tomlin giving Buddy Johnson an opportunity.
The Vikings were able to pressure Ben Roethlisberger without blitzing all night as the Steelers offensive line failed to recognize assignments and communicate in max protection. Even Najee Harris missed on some blocking assignments and Roethlisberger paid the price.
Fox Sports
Fox Sports
The Vikings registered 5 sacks and the offensive line couldn’t generate any holes for Harris in the first half. But it wasn’t limited to missed assignments as the line was responsible for multiple penalties as they couldn’t get aligned quickly enough, resulting in delay of game and false start penalties. Kendrick Green was notably errant with multiple shotgun snaps that Roethlisberger should get notable credit for not allowing any to result in turnovers, though one came very close.
Fox Sports
Chase Claypool led the Steelers with 8 catches (on 9 targets) for 93 yards, including making some astounding catches. Unfortunately, he also made a series of boneheaded decisions that throw into question his maturity and commitment. Of these antics, the worst was the first down celebration on the final drive that led to Trai Turner trying to grab the ball from Claypool, who could not have picked a worse time to go full out diva.
Fox Sports
Claypool has been ripped apart by the media, with Ryan Clark taking notable exception and it was evident in Ben Roethlisberger’s postgame press conference that he was not enthused with Claypool’s antics.
After a Roethlisberger interception, the Steelers defense finally held firm and overcame a terrible flag thrown against Minkah Fitzpatrick, who had a great hit to help breakup a potential touchdown. The Vikings kicked a FG with 6:15 remaining in the 3rd quarter to go up 29-0.
Fox Sports
Ahkello Witherspoon was challenged in coverage and came up with a few nice defensive plays. The book on the 26-year old cornerback has always been that he’s a streaky player. A few good plays would show up later and would make a huge impact.
On offense, after only 17 yards rushing in the first half, Harris broke a 23-yard run for the Steelers longest play of the day. But it was on a 3-yard run that the offense got it’s first spark. On a 3rd and 2, Harris was stuffed for a loss, but spun out and made the first down almost singlehandedly with a spectacular second effort.
Fox Sports
At the time, Ben Roethlisberger’s pitiful stat line read: 8/14 for 68 yards, 0 TD and 1 INT. But his game would soon ignite and it began when James Washington made a spectacular catch for 29 yards as he wrestled the ball away from Vikings CB Kris Boyd when they simultaneously grabbed the pass.
Fox Sports
Aided by a foolish taunting penalty on the Vikings, Roethlisberger and Harris worked in tandem to take advantage of a 1st down on the Vikings 22-yard line and complete the 10-play, 75-yard drive by connecting on a 3-yard TD pass. With the Steelers finally on the scoreboard, Harris handed the official the ball with no celebration.
Fox Sports
On the first play of the ensuing drive, Devin Bush got a hand on the pass intended for Justin Jefferson, deflecting it enough for Witherspoon to snag the much needed interception.
Fox Sports
Fox Sports
The Steelers offense flowed through Harris and Roethlisberger on the ensuing 7-play, 42-yard drive, highlighted by a spectacular catch by Claypool and great blocking from John Leglue and Pat Freiermuth to clear an easy path for a second Harris TD.
Fox Sports
Fox Sports
The Steelers offense had just scored 2 TDs in only 2:22. The momentum had shifted and the defense stepped up to force a 3 and out, after Heyward tackled Cook for a 2-yard loss and Fitzpatrick executing a perfect hit to break up the intended pass to Jefferson and force the punt.
Fox Sports
Fox Sports
The Steelers needed only 3 plays to cap off a 69-yard drive, highlighted two deep passes as Roethlisberger turned back the clock and connected with Diontae Johnson for 37 yards (hauling it in despite defensive PI) and then to Washington on a beautiful 30-yard TD. In less than 5 minutes, the Steelers had scored 3 TDs.
Fox Sports
Fox Sports
The Steelers failed to convert on a 2-point try and the Vikings seized on the missed opportunity that kept them with a two-score lead. The mistake proved disastrous as just like in Week 11 vs. the Los Angeles Chargers, the Steelers defense surrendered a big play TD when Cam Sutton was beaten, this time in single coverage vs. K.J. Osborn (with the aid of a little push off) for a 62-yard TD.
Fox Sports
Any momentum the Steelers felt quickly deflated, in particular after a pair of runs by Harris set up a 3rd and 1. Harris was then taken down for a loss of 2. On their own 32, the Steelers had decided to go for it on 4th down until a delay of game penalty changed Tomlin’s mind.
After a very poor 34-yard punt by Pressley Harvin, the Vikings powered into Steelers territory behind 5 consecutive runs. On the 6th play, Cousins threw a slant intended for Osborn, but Witherspoon anticipated the throw and jumped the route for his 2nd interception and a 41-yard return.
Fox Sports
Fox Sports
Roethlisberger immediately connected with Freiermuth for the TD and with Johnson for the 2-point conversion. Both “celebrated” their scores by handing the ball the official as the game was still on and work was still needed to be done.
Fox Sports
Fox Sports
Once again the Steelers defense would be challenged and once again it would rise to the occasion after big tackles by Schobert and Witherspoon to stuff Alexander Mattison runs for only 2 yards. For a second time in the 4th quarter, it would be Fitzpatrick defending a pass to force the punt. The officials initially threw a flag, but picked it up as Fitzpatrick’s coverage was perfect.
Fox Sports
After former Steeler Jordan Berry executed a perfect punt to place the Steelers on the 3-yard line, Ben Roethlisberger took the field looking to make history and complete the greatest regular season comeback in NFL history.
Fox Sports
Roethlisberger connected for 38-yards to Claypool down the right sideline, who hauled in the catch despite pass interference on Bashaud Breeland. It would be the first of 4 receptions by Claypool on the drive – the last of which would not be Claypool’s finest moment.
Fox Sports
Fox Sports
With a fourth and 1, Roethlisberger threw a slant to Claypool for 9 yards, but it was Claypool’s celebration that will be most remembered, as it ultimately cost the Steelers precious time on a running clock before it could be spiked with only 26 seconds left.
Fox Sports
One can only wonder what Claypool was thinking as he got visibly angry after the play. Roethlisberger would not look for #11 the rest the way despite his big plays on the drive, going so far as to force a pass to covered Washington – decided before the play – that was almost intercepted. A phenomenal catch and run (breaking through a would-be tackle by Patrick Peterson) out of bounds by Johnson resulted in having one play for the game from the Minnesota 12 with 2 seconds left.
Fox Sports
Standing strong in the pocket and being hit immediately after the throw, Roethlisberger threaded a pass between 3 Vikings with perfect precision and touch to Freiermuth. The rookie TE had the ball in both hands and had it almost secured before Vikings safety Harrison Smith got just enough of a hand in to prevent Freiermuth from completing the catch.
Fox Sports
Fox Sports
Fox Sports
For a second time this season, the Steelers played a horrific game with a final comeback attempt for the ages that came up short. Freiermuth’s failure to secure the catch hurts, as it did appear he had a chance to secure it before taking the hit. But it’s notable to remember – that would have positioned the Steelers to tie the game and head to OT with a successful two point conversion.
Are the Steelers playoff hopes over or can they put it together for a run in a wild AFC with four weeks remaining? This team can be horrible and yet spectacular in the same game and nearly pulled a win off for the ages twice this season. In the next 10 days, players and coaches alike need to do some serious soul searching, and we’ll see who shows up and with what urgency vs. the Tennessee Titans.
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The Bad – Defense and Run Defense
The frustration was evident in the faces and postures of the Steelers all game on both sides of the ball. Cam Heyward cannot man it alone and its evident that Stephon Tuitt isn’t returning soon. This defense was as an elite a unit as there was in the NFL throughout 2019 and 2020. Nonetheless, there is no excuse to allow the holes that Dalvin Cook had to gash through and average over 17 yards a carry in the first half and 205 yards on the game. There is also no excuse for the coaching staff waiting till halftime to implement the adjustments that clearly worked in the second half.
Fox Sports
T.J. Watt exited the game in the first half with (what else) a groin injury shortly followed by Alex Highsmith with a quad injury. They were missed as gone was any semblance of a pass rush on Kirk Cousins.
Fox Sports
It proved to be a long night for the Steelers LB core, as their replacements, Taco Charlton and Derrek Tuszka, failed to register a sack and combined for only 6 tackles. ILBs Devin Bush and Joe Schobert struggles throughout the game eventually led to Mike Tomlin giving Buddy Johnson an opportunity.
The Worse – The Offensive Line and Blocking
The Vikings were able to pressure Ben Roethlisberger without blitzing all night as the Steelers offensive line failed to recognize assignments and communicate in max protection. Even Najee Harris missed on some blocking assignments and Roethlisberger paid the price.
Fox Sports
Fox Sports
The Vikings registered 5 sacks and the offensive line couldn’t generate any holes for Harris in the first half. But it wasn’t limited to missed assignments as the line was responsible for multiple penalties as they couldn’t get aligned quickly enough, resulting in delay of game and false start penalties. Kendrick Green was notably errant with multiple shotgun snaps that Roethlisberger should get notable credit for not allowing any to result in turnovers, though one came very close.
Fox Sports
The Ugly – Chase
Chase Claypool led the Steelers with 8 catches (on 9 targets) for 93 yards, including making some astounding catches. Unfortunately, he also made a series of boneheaded decisions that throw into question his maturity and commitment. Of these antics, the worst was the first down celebration on the final drive that led to Trai Turner trying to grab the ball from Claypool, who could not have picked a worse time to go full out diva.
Fox Sports
Claypool has been ripped apart by the media, with Ryan Clark taking notable exception and it was evident in Ben Roethlisberger’s postgame press conference that he was not enthused with Claypool’s antics.
The Good – The Comeback
After a Roethlisberger interception, the Steelers defense finally held firm and overcame a terrible flag thrown against Minkah Fitzpatrick, who had a great hit to help breakup a potential touchdown. The Vikings kicked a FG with 6:15 remaining in the 3rd quarter to go up 29-0.
Fox Sports
Ahkello Witherspoon was challenged in coverage and came up with a few nice defensive plays. The book on the 26-year old cornerback has always been that he’s a streaky player. A few good plays would show up later and would make a huge impact.
On offense, after only 17 yards rushing in the first half, Harris broke a 23-yard run for the Steelers longest play of the day. But it was on a 3-yard run that the offense got it’s first spark. On a 3rd and 2, Harris was stuffed for a loss, but spun out and made the first down almost singlehandedly with a spectacular second effort.
Fox Sports
At the time, Ben Roethlisberger’s pitiful stat line read: 8/14 for 68 yards, 0 TD and 1 INT. But his game would soon ignite and it began when James Washington made a spectacular catch for 29 yards as he wrestled the ball away from Vikings CB Kris Boyd when they simultaneously grabbed the pass.
Fox Sports
Aided by a foolish taunting penalty on the Vikings, Roethlisberger and Harris worked in tandem to take advantage of a 1st down on the Vikings 22-yard line and complete the 10-play, 75-yard drive by connecting on a 3-yard TD pass. With the Steelers finally on the scoreboard, Harris handed the official the ball with no celebration.
Fox Sports
On the first play of the ensuing drive, Devin Bush got a hand on the pass intended for Justin Jefferson, deflecting it enough for Witherspoon to snag the much needed interception.
Fox Sports
Fox Sports
The Steelers offense flowed through Harris and Roethlisberger on the ensuing 7-play, 42-yard drive, highlighted by a spectacular catch by Claypool and great blocking from John Leglue and Pat Freiermuth to clear an easy path for a second Harris TD.
Fox Sports
Fox Sports
The Steelers offense had just scored 2 TDs in only 2:22. The momentum had shifted and the defense stepped up to force a 3 and out, after Heyward tackled Cook for a 2-yard loss and Fitzpatrick executing a perfect hit to break up the intended pass to Jefferson and force the punt.
Fox Sports
Fox Sports
The Steelers needed only 3 plays to cap off a 69-yard drive, highlighted two deep passes as Roethlisberger turned back the clock and connected with Diontae Johnson for 37 yards (hauling it in despite defensive PI) and then to Washington on a beautiful 30-yard TD. In less than 5 minutes, the Steelers had scored 3 TDs.
Fox Sports
Fox Sports
The Steelers failed to convert on a 2-point try and the Vikings seized on the missed opportunity that kept them with a two-score lead. The mistake proved disastrous as just like in Week 11 vs. the Los Angeles Chargers, the Steelers defense surrendered a big play TD when Cam Sutton was beaten, this time in single coverage vs. K.J. Osborn (with the aid of a little push off) for a 62-yard TD.
Fox Sports
Any momentum the Steelers felt quickly deflated, in particular after a pair of runs by Harris set up a 3rd and 1. Harris was then taken down for a loss of 2. On their own 32, the Steelers had decided to go for it on 4th down until a delay of game penalty changed Tomlin’s mind.
After a very poor 34-yard punt by Pressley Harvin, the Vikings powered into Steelers territory behind 5 consecutive runs. On the 6th play, Cousins threw a slant intended for Osborn, but Witherspoon anticipated the throw and jumped the route for his 2nd interception and a 41-yard return.
Fox Sports
Fox Sports
Roethlisberger immediately connected with Freiermuth for the TD and with Johnson for the 2-point conversion. Both “celebrated” their scores by handing the ball the official as the game was still on and work was still needed to be done.
Fox Sports
Fox Sports
Once again the Steelers defense would be challenged and once again it would rise to the occasion after big tackles by Schobert and Witherspoon to stuff Alexander Mattison runs for only 2 yards. For a second time in the 4th quarter, it would be Fitzpatrick defending a pass to force the punt. The officials initially threw a flag, but picked it up as Fitzpatrick’s coverage was perfect.
Fox Sports
After former Steeler Jordan Berry executed a perfect punt to place the Steelers on the 3-yard line, Ben Roethlisberger took the field looking to make history and complete the greatest regular season comeback in NFL history.
Fox Sports
Roethlisberger connected for 38-yards to Claypool down the right sideline, who hauled in the catch despite pass interference on Bashaud Breeland. It would be the first of 4 receptions by Claypool on the drive – the last of which would not be Claypool’s finest moment.
Fox Sports
Fox Sports
With a fourth and 1, Roethlisberger threw a slant to Claypool for 9 yards, but it was Claypool’s celebration that will be most remembered, as it ultimately cost the Steelers precious time on a running clock before it could be spiked with only 26 seconds left.
Fox Sports
One can only wonder what Claypool was thinking as he got visibly angry after the play. Roethlisberger would not look for #11 the rest the way despite his big plays on the drive, going so far as to force a pass to covered Washington – decided before the play – that was almost intercepted. A phenomenal catch and run (breaking through a would-be tackle by Patrick Peterson) out of bounds by Johnson resulted in having one play for the game from the Minnesota 12 with 2 seconds left.
Fox Sports
The Final Play
Standing strong in the pocket and being hit immediately after the throw, Roethlisberger threaded a pass between 3 Vikings with perfect precision and touch to Freiermuth. The rookie TE had the ball in both hands and had it almost secured before Vikings safety Harrison Smith got just enough of a hand in to prevent Freiermuth from completing the catch.
Fox Sports
Fox Sports
Fox Sports
For a second time this season, the Steelers played a horrific game with a final comeback attempt for the ages that came up short. Freiermuth’s failure to secure the catch hurts, as it did appear he had a chance to secure it before taking the hit. But it’s notable to remember – that would have positioned the Steelers to tie the game and head to OT with a successful two point conversion.
Are the Steelers playoff hopes over or can they put it together for a run in a wild AFC with four weeks remaining? This team can be horrible and yet spectacular in the same game and nearly pulled a win off for the ages twice this season. In the next 10 days, players and coaches alike need to do some serious soul searching, and we’ll see who shows up and with what urgency vs. the Tennessee Titans.
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
